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Locke & Key: One-Shots
Locke & Key: Grindhouse
THIS is the blood-splashed, bare-knuckled Locke & Key standalone story you've been waiting for! In the glare of a Depression-era summer, three Canuck gangsters pull the heist of their dreams and take off for the perfect hiding spot… an isolated mansion on the tip of Lovecraft Island known locally as Keyhouse. Locke & Key: Grindhouse includes an expanded "Guide to Keyhouse," revealing every dark corner and secret room in America's most frightening mansion!
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2012
17 people are currently reading
2666 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
496 books28.8k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 9, 2021
Grindhouse sees a Tarantino-esque conflict set in the past; three deadly, callous and highly immoral men invade the Locke's home looking to steal and rape, only to find a family well versed in using a certain bunch of Keys! 8 out of 12.
Gabriel Rodriguez is a trained architect and the second part of this book gives just a sprinkling of the mammoth scope of Gabriel pretty much designing the house as a real place. All the rooms are listed, there's a plan of the house and some views all drawn by you know who.
The second interlude is most definitely worth reading - the 'Guide to Known Keys'. Both of theses interludes can be read after volume three of the main series. 8 out of 12 :)
Gabriel Rodriguez is a trained architect and the second part of this book gives just a sprinkling of the mammoth scope of Gabriel pretty much designing the house as a real place. All the rooms are listed, there's a plan of the house and some views all drawn by you know who.
The second interlude is most definitely worth reading - the 'Guide to Known Keys'. Both of theses interludes can be read after volume three of the main series. 8 out of 12 :)
June 18, 2022
No ha estado mal historia sobre unos delincuentes que se esconden, después de cometer un atraco, en Keyhouse, errorrr.
La familia sabe como protegerse de ellos, a pesar de que ellos piensan que son una familia inocente, jajaja.
6/10
La familia sabe como protegerse de ellos, a pesar de que ellos piensan que son una familia inocente, jajaja.
6/10
November 13, 2015
picture if you will a home invasion. a trio of scumbags, each one worse than the last. they truck in death - murder and rape and molestation; they deserve death themselves. picture a happy home waiting to be invaded and picture a happy family of sitting ducks. does this make you anxious? never fear! the home is The Keyhouse and the family is armed with keys. Magic Keys! pity instead the hapless home invaders. no, scratch that. rejoice in their destruction! it is well-earned and especially tasty.
Hill creates a vivid and visceral tale full of mordant humor. you've seen these characters before, in cheap grindhouse films. here they are placed in a new setting, The Keyhouse - but with all of your typical grindhouse film's jacobean-revenge-drama-writ-small nastiness left intact. Rodriguez matches him with art that is influenced by film noir and low-budget horror movies and, of course, ugly grindhouse cheapies.
good stuff!
this review is a part of a longer article collecting all of my reviews of the Locke & Key series so far, posted on
Shelf Inflicted.
Hill creates a vivid and visceral tale full of mordant humor. you've seen these characters before, in cheap grindhouse films. here they are placed in a new setting, The Keyhouse - but with all of your typical grindhouse film's jacobean-revenge-drama-writ-small nastiness left intact. Rodriguez matches him with art that is influenced by film noir and low-budget horror movies and, of course, ugly grindhouse cheapies.
good stuff!
this review is a part of a longer article collecting all of my reviews of the Locke & Key series so far, posted on
Shelf Inflicted.
March 19, 2016
This is a clever little story that is based in the world of Locke and Key. However be warned you make want to read the main body of books first before reading this story.
The reason why I give this warning is that Grindhouse makes the assumption you know what some (if not all of the keys do) and thats the problem. As exploring and discovering the keys is part of the adventure.
Now that said this story for me opens up all sorts of possibilities - aside from the story of the main books there are alls sorts of side stories you can envisage going on and I suspect that is what was hinted by the authors who said they cannot quite give up the house in Lovecraft County.
AS such there is nothing really new here - you will not any new secrets revealed here however you will have roaring story that shows not only what the writer and artists can do but also what potential stories await to be told and I for one hope there are more to come.
The reason why I give this warning is that Grindhouse makes the assumption you know what some (if not all of the keys do) and thats the problem. As exploring and discovering the keys is part of the adventure.
Now that said this story for me opens up all sorts of possibilities - aside from the story of the main books there are alls sorts of side stories you can envisage going on and I suspect that is what was hinted by the authors who said they cannot quite give up the house in Lovecraft County.
AS such there is nothing really new here - you will not any new secrets revealed here however you will have roaring story that shows not only what the writer and artists can do but also what potential stories await to be told and I for one hope there are more to come.
June 7, 2015
Really loved this, especially what happened at the end, it was such well deserved karma. Would have liked it to have been longer though, it was way too short. And there should have been a little more focus on the Locke family rather than the bad guys.
July 6, 2022
Another Stand-alone issue, this one had a story by the title of the book and another short story about the house and its maps, etc. The story Grindhouse tells a story when three robbers reach keyhouse after robbing a place. They believe that they have the upper hand but they soon realize how mismatched they are against the power of the keys of the keyhouse.
I have always loved comics, and I hope to always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope to always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
November 21, 2022
In this story we see adults who are aware of the magic keys and use them to defend the family.
Its really an idiotic idea to make a key preventing the adults from using or remembering the keys, they stay in the same family anyway who amongst themselves they don't trust?.
Its really an idiotic idea to make a key preventing the adults from using or remembering the keys, they stay in the same family anyway who amongst themselves they don't trust?.
August 3, 2016
5 Magical-Stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. At first glance, everything is different from the time setting to the characters.
Three guys rob a bank and innocent people before driving, looking for their hideout. Sounds simple enough, but then it gets twisted! They arrive at the key house ready to rape and kill the people who live there, not knowing the magic doors of the house. And the story just got better from there. :)
I liked it. Short, demented and fun to read!
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. At first glance, everything is different from the time setting to the characters.
Three guys rob a bank and innocent people before driving, looking for their hideout. Sounds simple enough, but then it gets twisted! They arrive at the key house ready to rape and kill the people who live there, not knowing the magic doors of the house. And the story just got better from there. :)
I liked it. Short, demented and fun to read!
September 21, 2021
"Nothing smells better than a new car . . . except maybe Toronto pussy."
Nice Christine reference, Prince of Horror.
Nice Christine reference, Prince of Horror.
July 26, 2017
Not bad. Fast paced and straight-to-the-point.
But Grindhouse would probably only make sense to those familiar with the various keys from the main series.
But Grindhouse would probably only make sense to those familiar with the various keys from the main series.
November 28, 2016
Otro vistazo más a los numerosos detalles de Keyhouse.
August 11, 2019
Mini-historia de gángsters que tiene lugar varias décadas antes de la historia principal. Se lee en un minuto, pero no engancha ni aporta nada.
October 29, 2021
Home advantage is everything.
Didn't quite get that last panel, though.
Didn't quite get that last panel, though.
August 23, 2020
The typeface demonstrates a nod to the pre-code EC stories. Violent and in your face but with a happy ending.
September 5, 2018
This was a true Locke & Key one-shot story. I absolutely adored it from beginning to end. It's dark, violent and intriguing. It is another glimpse into the older generations of the Locke family and a snapshot of a situation that they deal with using the keys. It just shows that wit and resourcefulness runs in their genes.
June 14, 2021
Well that is a twisted tale but shows that the Locke family are nothing but resourceful and clever. No wonder given all the shit that happens. Highly interested in the vampire key is it a demon door or a gullet? Short and dark.
February 16, 2020
Probably my favourite one-shot of the 4 released. It has the same violent vibe as the original series. You really don't want to mess with the Locke family 😏
(this one features Mary Locke, her family and her sister Jean. Mary and Jean are Chamberlin's daughters)
Chamberlin appears as a ghost in the main Locke & Key series and the one-shot stories that have been released are about his family:
- Locke & Key: Small World, about his whole family and their life at Keyhouse.
- Locke and Key: Guide to the Known Keys, about his son Ian.
- Locke & Key: Grindhouse, about a break-in at Keyhouse when his daughters Mary and Jean, now adults, are living there.
- Locke and Key: Dog Days, about Mary's children.
(this one features Mary Locke, her family and her sister Jean. Mary and Jean are Chamberlin's daughters)
Chamberlin appears as a ghost in the main Locke & Key series and the one-shot stories that have been released are about his family:
- Locke & Key: Small World, about his whole family and their life at Keyhouse.
- Locke and Key: Guide to the Known Keys, about his son Ian.
- Locke & Key: Grindhouse, about a break-in at Keyhouse when his daughters Mary and Jean, now adults, are living there.
- Locke and Key: Dog Days, about Mary's children.
July 14, 2017
At first I thought that this short story was not going to like much, but then Joe Hill manages to keep surprising me, since in this short story, he makes a very good use of the genre noir and the illustrations of Gabriel Rodriguez as always they are impeccable, I give it 4 out of 5 stars because the genre noir is not something I usually read a lot.
Al principio creí que esta historia corta no me iba a gustar mucho, pero luego Joe Hill logra seguir sorprendiéndome, ya que en esta historia corta, él hace un muy buen uso del género noir y las ilustraciones de Gabriel Rodríguez como siempre son impecables, le doy 4 de 5 estrellas porque el género noir no es algo que suelo leer mucho.
Al principio creí que esta historia corta no me iba a gustar mucho, pero luego Joe Hill logra seguir sorprendiéndome, ya que en esta historia corta, él hace un muy buen uso del género noir y las ilustraciones de Gabriel Rodríguez como siempre son impecables, le doy 4 de 5 estrellas porque el género noir no es algo que suelo leer mucho.
June 28, 2020
En este one shot la familia que ocupa key house debe defenderla de un grupo de gangsters/delincuentes.
Al estilo "grindhouse"como el nombre de portada lo indica .Genero de violencia,terror,sexo y situaciones bizarras(como alguna película de Tarantino)
*como extras trae unos pLanos de la casa y una nota de Joe Hill
Al estilo "grindhouse"como el nombre de portada lo indica .Genero de violencia,terror,sexo y situaciones bizarras(como alguna película de Tarantino)
*como extras trae unos pLanos de la casa y una nota de Joe Hill
October 1, 2019
I adored Grindhouse and I adore the older generations of the Locke family. Simple as that.
January 2, 2021
Cruder language than much of the other stories.
March 9, 2021
Los dibujos y la historia no me gustaron mucho, pero he de reconocer que conecta muy bien con todos los otros anexos.
September 2, 2019
Really loved this!
February 23, 2021
Qué original que es este cómic. Es increíble cómo esta familia se las ingenia para evitar un robo en su casa con ayuda de las llaves. Es muy divertido y emocionante de leer. Me gustaron los personajes, tanto de los ladrones como de la familia Locke que vivía en ese tiempo. Una familia valiente, que no se deja ceder ante el miedo y actúa con prudencia ante todo.
November 8, 2021
Me gustan más los que tienen que ver con Chamberlain Locke.
September 7, 2016
2.75
This is a side-story in the Locke & Key collection, wherein we see some of the past residents of Key House as their home gets invaded by some goons.
At first I wasn't happy with shelling out the $10 for this slim volume (having gotten it of ebay after missing its initial release). The art was ok, but I hated that the font was all computerized. I felt kinda ripped off that the comic couldn't have been properly lettered.
Also, the goons, one in particular, was way too OTT and I felt a lot of language and stuff was just gratuitous - and, believe me, I cuss with alarming frequency, so that's really saying something.
Oh, and I know they're goons and all, but the whole
Anyway -
While I wasn't thrilled with the set-up, I did enjoy the pay-off. I liked seeing the household use the keys in different ways in order to take care of their tormentors. It ends up being a nice little revenge story, if that's your kinda thing - and it's sometimes mine.
I do wish we saw a little bit more of the Grindhouse key, but it was nice to see it at all since we haven't seen in in the main arc, iirc, and I do own the damn thing, so. there is that. :>
This is a side-story in the Locke & Key collection, wherein we see some of the past residents of Key House as their home gets invaded by some goons.
At first I wasn't happy with shelling out the $10 for this slim volume (having gotten it of ebay after missing its initial release). The art was ok, but I hated that the font was all computerized. I felt kinda ripped off that the comic couldn't have been properly lettered.
Also, the goons, one in particular, was way too OTT and I felt a lot of language and stuff was just gratuitous - and, believe me, I cuss with alarming frequency, so that's really saying something.
Oh, and I know they're goons and all, but the whole
Anyway -
While I wasn't thrilled with the set-up, I did enjoy the pay-off. I liked seeing the household use the keys in different ways in order to take care of their tormentors. It ends up being a nice little revenge story, if that's your kinda thing - and it's sometimes mine.
I do wish we saw a little bit more of the Grindhouse key, but it was nice to see it at all since we haven't seen in in the main arc, iirc, and I do own the damn thing, so. there is that. :>
October 28, 2017
A one off in the L&K universe. Drawn a bit different, I think to be reminiscent of the era it's supposed to take place. It's not bad, but it's not as good as some of the other L&K work. The story is pretty straightforward, a crew of robbers take up some time before their getaway at the Key House. Being bad guys, they try to do bad things in the house and get their comeuppance. Pretty simple, but well done and effective. A good addition to the story universe. Introduces a new key, the monster mouth door. Nasty!
December 22, 2017
This crime-noir story is set in the 1930’s and features some French-Canadian criminals that get in over their head at the Keyhouse. Sisters Mary and Jean from the stories "Small World" and "Open The Moon" are all grown up when the gangsters burst into their home and threaten them. Bombshell Mary is calm, even when her little boys are in danger and the women are forced upstairs to be assaulted. Luckily these two women know how to utilize the keys of the house to their advantage, and the crime spree ends in a shocking manner. This story is graphic and meant for mature audiences only.
October 21, 2013
Another single-issue supplement to the series. Three rapey thieves break into Lockehouse and take the family hostage, but the good guys use the keys to respectively dismember, discorporate, and female the criminals. There's also a sweet multi-page floorplan breakdown of the Keyhouse with labels and plot notes.
read-graphic-novels
August 27, 2014This help me to imagine the design of key House ,
also i loved the simple art style on this one-shot ,
Gabril's art is one of my favorite Now .
oh la la i become addiction to the series i have to read everything about it :)
also i loved the simple art style on this one-shot ,
Gabril's art is one of my favorite Now .
oh la la i become addiction to the series i have to read everything about it :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews